Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Blackened Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

This was my first time making this meal, and it was so easy and yummy that I wanted to share it with you! (maybe it was so easy because I used sauce in a jar & noodles from the package...but let's just focus on the chicken, okay?? ;)

-9 oz. package of fettuccine

-1 jar of Newman's Own Alfredo pasta sauce

-2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

-1 teaspoon paprika

-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

-1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

-1/2 teaspoon salt

-1/4 teaspoon pepper

-1/4 teaspoon onion powder

(and if you have a family that likes to eat, you can double this recipe like I did.)

Pound the chicken until quite thin (around 1/4 inch thick). Mix all of the spice ingredients together in a bowl. Coat both sides of the chicken breasts with the spices, and rub the mixture into the chicken.

Heat a non-stick grill pan or skillet over medium heat. Place chicken breasts in pan and brown both sides, 45-60 seconds per side. (This part is optional, but it helps give the chicken a nice "blackened" color.) Then place chicken in prepared baking pan and bake in oven for about 10 minutes, (or until meat is white inside) and flip them half way through. Baking the chicken helps keep it moist.

Remove the chicken from the oven and slice into strips. While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare the pasta according to the package directions. Heat the sauce in a pan on the stove top, then pour over hot, drained pasta. Serve pasta with sliced chicken on top. Serves 4.

I also served it with some garlic french bread and balsamic vinegar & olive oil for dipping.